Alternatives made so Sandy victims in NJ can vote

WPVI

November 3, 2012 5:21:46 PM PDT

Action News

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) - November 2, 2012 --

Democrats are launching a get out the vote effort in northern New Jersey in the wake of Hurricane Sandy.

Officials said there was some confusion among voters about whether the election is still being held Tuesday due to the damage inflicted by the storm, and they realize that voting is probably "the last thing" on the minds of weather-weary residents.

"The main concern is obviously in the aftermath of the storm, just trying to get voters focused on Election Day," said Leroy Jones, a former state legislator who now chairs the East Orange Democratic Party. "Many have gone through some devastating events over the last several days. We're doing everything possible to uplift the spirits of our voters. It's going to be a daunting task."

Gov. Chris Christie said Election Day will go on as planned. If a polling place has no power, votes will be cast on a military truck "old school with a paper ballot," he said.

"We will have a full, fair and transparent open voting process," he said.

Christie has said his administration is making sure residents have opportunities to vote, even if their polling station is without power or has been washed away.

New Jersey residents whose communities were hard-hit by the storm can drop by their county clerk's office all weekend to vote in-person and they can text a special number to find out if and where their usual polling location has been moved.

They can also vote by email or fax, the state announced Saturday. A resident must submit a mail-in ballot application by fax or email to the local county clerk. When the request is received, a ballot will be emailed or faxed back. Ballots must be returned no later than 8 p.m. Tuesday. Ballot applications can be downloaded on the state's website.

Residents can text WHERE to 877877 or log onto www.elections.nj.gov to find out where they can vote on Tuesday.